Sunday Shopping Determined by Local Councils

THE HAGUE, 16/05/13 - Local councils will be able to determine whether and how often shops can open on Sundays. A proposal by the centre-left (D66) and left-wing Greens (GroenLinks) parties can count on a Senate majority. MP Kees Verhoeven (D66) who submitted the proposal summed it up. "We have been trying to expand shopping hours for more than 20 years. Finally, we have succeeded," because the conservative (VVD), Labour (PvdA) and Christian democrat (CDA) senators have backed the changes. GroenLinks MP Liesbeth van Tongeren said local councils should make their own choice because "residents of Staphorst want something else than those in Amsterdam." Staphorst is a Reformed village where Sunday rest is strictly observed. The CDA, originally fiercely opposed to Sunday shop opening, is expected to back the bill. "We are still struggling with the matter," Senator Terpstra said. But "perhaps it is better to take a loss nationally and continue our battle against Sunday opening on a local level." The CDA will vote on the issue on 28 May. The CDA wants a promise in return for its support that shops in certain shopping centres will not be forced to open on Sunday if they do not wish to do so.